Claysville resident holds burglary suspect at gunpoint
A Claysville resident held a man at gunpoint early Tuesday until Donegal Township police arrived at his home to take the burglary suspect into custody.
Brandon James Champe, 21, of 510 Interest Lane, South Franklin Township, was arrested inside the home of Eric Ganster at 101 Petroleum Ave.
According to police, Ganster’s son told him about 12:45 a.m. that someone was inside the house. Ganster grabbed his pistol to investigate and said he found Champe in the upstairs hallway.
When police arrived, they found Ganster in the hall aiming his pistol at Champe, who was on his knees with his hands on top of his head.
Ganster told police he does not know Champe and the South Franklin man had no reason to be inside his house.
“We don’t know why he was there,” said police Chief John Yancosek. “His (Champe’s) vehicle was found in the area. He had been drinking.”
Police checked the house and found a window on the south side of the porch had a pane of glass pulled away. The window had been propped open. Police said that was likely how Champe entered the house.
Champe was arraigned before District Judge Curtis Thompson on charges of burglary, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness. He was placed in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond. Champe is scheduled for a Nov. 20 preliminary hearing before District Judge Ethan Ward.